Implementing COVID-19 response within the context of the broader health system : a proposed framework for Africa's policy makers
Date
2020-05-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pan African Medical Journal
Abstract
Heads of government in Africa responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up high-level task forces at continental and national levels to coordinate preparedness and response strategies, in a bid to mitigate the
spread of this virus on the continent. However, the current strategy at
both continental and national levels are narrowly focused on COVID-19
and this is not sustainable. This is because Africa has a high burden of
communicable and non-communicable diseases and sustaining access to
essential life-saving health services is also critical during this pandemic.
Therefore, we call for a more holistic health systems-based model for
COVID-19 outbreak response. We recommend that response strategies
should be transitioned from vertical isolated programmes to a broadbased “time-bound” integrated health system intervention that links
with existing health programmes as well as other government and nongovernmental sectors.
Description
CITATION: Adamu, A. A. et al. 2020. Implementing COVID-19 response within the context of the broader health system : a proposed framework for Africa's policy makers. Pan African Medical Journal, 35(Supp 2):46, doi:10.11604/pamj.2020.35.2.23574.
The original publication is available at https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com
The original publication is available at https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com
Keywords
COVID-19 (Disease) -- Government policy -- Africa, Preparedness -- Africa, Emergency management -- Africa
Citation
Adamu, A. A. et al. 2020. Implementing COVID-19 response within the context of the broader health system : a proposed framework for Africa's policy makers. Pan African Medical Journal, 35(Supp 2):46, doi:10.11604/pamj.2020.35.2.23574.